World AIDS Awareness Day

Did you know that about 50% of new AIDS infections occur in people under the age of 25? Sexual experimentation, multiple partners, and trying to define our sexuality is a large part of the lives of those in that age group. In 2006, of people in the United States between the ages of 13 and 24 (the ages most likely to be sexually active under 25), 5,259 were diagnosed with HIV (the ages most likely to be sexually active under 25), 2,143 were diagnosed with AIDS, and 211 died. In the years since AIDS was discovered, of people in the United States between the ages of 13 and 24 , 42,929 have been diagnosed with AIDS and 10,096 have died from the disease.

Every year on December 1, the world recognizes World AIDS Awareness Day. And in memory of someone I knew who died from AIDS, I thought today would be a good day to remind everyone on how AIDS can be contracted and how to protect yourself and others from maybe contracting the disease.

There are approximately 33 million people living with AIDS in the world today, and more than 25 million people have died from AIDS since 1981. There are three ways in which AIDS can be transferred from one person to another; blood (transfusions, open cuts, etc...), sexual contact (vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse), and sometimes a mother passes it to her child during her pregnancy. I'm sure you are already aware that by using condoms during your sexual encounters, you can greatly reduce your risk of contracting HIV/AIDS... but, if you're not familiar with why condoms are so great, read on....

Our now most common form of contraception (the condom) has been around since 1000 B.C. and it has greatly improved into the #2 protector against the AIDS virus (the #1 is abstinence). Condoms are highly effective in protecting you against AIDS and other STD'S when used properly. Here are some tips I found on how to get the most out of your condom:

• Use a new condom for each act of intercourse
• Put on the condom as soon as erection occurs and before any sexual contact (vaginal, anal or oral).
• Hold the tip of the condom and unroll it onto the erect penis, leaving space at the tip of the condom, yet ensuring that no air is trapped in the condom's tip.
• Adequate lubrication is important, but use only water-based lubricants on latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants such as petroleum jelly (Vaseline), cold cream, hand lotion or baby oil can weaken the latex condom and are not recommended. However, oil-based lubricants can be used with condoms made of polyurethane.
• Withdraw from the partner immediately after ejaculation, holding the condom firmly to keep it from slipping off.

With about 10.4 billion condoms used in the year 2005, I feel that there is really no excuse for everyone not to be proactive in the fight against AIDS. Condoms are available at major drugstores and online (I buy mine at loverslane.com). Here are some clever condom quips from my favorite sex guru, Sue Johanson, to help you remember to wrap your willy!

If you're gonna get funky, cover your monkey!

You'll go home a loner if you don't cover your boner!

Before you wag it, better bag it

You won't get a goody 'til you wrap your woody!

If you go into heat, package your meat!

Put a rubber on your chubber!

If you are huffin' and puffin', protect your muffin!

You can't go wrong if you shield your dong!

Before you dive in, cover your skin!

Before you slip between her thighs, don't forget to condomize!

No glove, no love!

If getting naked is your plan, cover your penis like a man!

A condom is a crash helmet for your hot rod!

It only takes a jiffy to cover Mr. Stiffy!

Have a safe & sex filled day!!
Lola ♥